Code of Ethics
PREAMBLE
The Northwest Vacation Rental Professionals (NWVRP) exists to serve as a vehicle to increase public awareness of vacation rental lodging and to enhance members’ businesses through education, professional standards, marketing, political involvement, and industry networking. Accepting this standard, NWVRP members aspire to observe its spirit in all of their activities and to conduct their businesses ethically in accordance with the Articles on the NWVRP Code of Ethics as set forth below.
These Articles establish guidelines or ideals that all NWVRP members shall strive to attain in an effort to raise the level of professionalism and perceived value of service within the vacation rental industry, its customers and the communities that each agency serves.
ARTICLE 1
NWVRP members shall endeavor to become and to remain informed on matters affecting the vacation rental industry in their community, state, and nation.
ARTICLE 2
NWVRP members shall refrain from making false or misleading statements or unsolicited criticism of other members and, if an opinion is sought about another member, its business or its business practices, any opinion shall be offered in an objective professional manner.
ARTICLE 3
NWVRP members shall endeavor to eliminate in their communities any practices which could be damaging to the public or could bring discredit to the vacation rental industry.
ARTICLE 4
NWVRP members shall endeavor to set a positive example for the industry by abiding by all state and local laws and any Realtor® regulations which govern vacation rentals and the ethical conduct of the vacation rental industry. Members shall be proactive regarding establishment and improvement of policies and procedures regulating the vacation rental industry at the local, state, and national level.
ARTICLE 5
NWVRP members shall endeavor to share their experiences with other members of the vacation rental industry with the express goal of elevating the overall level of service performed and the resultant public perception of the value of the industry generally.
ARTICLE 6
NWVRP members shall protect and promote the interests of their owners/clients by treating their tenant/customers honestly and fairly.
ARTICLE 7
NWVRP members shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to a specific property to all affected parties, including actual or potential owner/clients and tenant/customers.
ARTICLE 8
NWVRP members shall not deny lodging services to any person for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.
ARTICLE 9
NWVRP members shall maintain a level of competent service in keeping with the highest standards of the vacation rental industry. Members shall not present themselves as having expertise in fields beyond their abilities. and shall not undertake to provide professional services concerning a property or its value where they have a present or contemplated interest unless such interest is specifically disclosed to all affected parties.
ARTICLE 10
NWVRP members shall not recommend or suggest to a client or customer the use of services of another organization or business in which they have a direct interest or in which they receive a fee without disclosing such interest at the time of recommendation.
ARTICLE 11
NWVRP members shall present an accurate picture of rental offerings in all advertising and representations to the public, and shall not advertise specific properties without authorization by the owner.
ARTICLE 12
For the protection of all parties, NWVRP members shall assure that all financial obligations to owners and tenants be in writing in a form which expresses the exact agreement, including any terms or conditions. A copy of each agreement shall be provided to the respective party upon signature of such agreement.
ARTICLE 13
Signs giving notice of property available for lease or rent shall not be placed on a property without consent of the owner. Sign design and placement shall be in compliance with local zoning requirements and any applicable association rules and regulations.
ARTICLE 14
NWVRP members, prior to entering into a relationship with a property owner, shall make a reasonable effort to determine whether the prospective client is subject to a current, valid exclusive agreement with another rental management firm to provide the same type of rental services.
Original Adoption: October 27, 2010
Marianne Brunner, Secretary for the Formation Committee of the VRMA of Washington at Glacier, Washington
FORMING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- Sea to Sky Rentals LLC, Michelle Acquavella
- Mt. Baker Lodging Inc., Daniel Graham
- Destination Leavenworth, Daniel Eby
- Seattle Suites LLC, Becki Snellenberg
- Brunner’s Lodge Inc., Marianne Brunner
|
